Competition news

MATCHDAY 36: FIRE AT THE DROP ZONE

22 May 2013Two matchdays are remaining and nothing is yet decided at the drop zone of liga BBVA; meanwhile the first three places are already decided and the only thing left is to know who will be the fourth place and two of the three Europa League teams.

Matchday 36 was prolific in terms of goals scored: 33, the highest number within the last month. Besides there were two characteristics that marked the matchday: the absence of draws and the number of away victories. For the third time on the season there were no draws, while the half of the matches ended in a win for the visiting team –only the sixth time on the season in which this situation occurs-

The battle to avoid relegation is now the spotlight in la liga as the top places are already decided. RCD Mallorca skipped the mathematical relegation after a 1-0 win over Real Betis, which turns to be the first win in five matches for the Majorcans. RC Celta is again the bottom team in la liga, the Galicians didn’t play in the weekend after their previous 1-3 and 0-1 losses before Atlético Madrid and Real Betis.

Deportivo was the big winner of the matchday as their 2-0 victory over RCD Espanyol pulled them out of the drop zone. In the meantime Real Zaragoza suffered a dramatic defeat hosting Athletic Bilbao. Los Maños were leading 1-0 during big part of the game and ended allowing two goals within the last nine minutes.

The result certifies the permanence for the Basques, but the Aragonians are in the pit for the fourth time on the season. Finally, Granada CF made a big step forward defeating CA Osasuna (3-0), the Andalusians only need now two points to clinch the permanence, while the Navarrans are just two points above the danger zone. The result of this situation is that no one is relegated yet, with six clubs involved in the mess, but still some of them are pending of a miracle.

The situation at the bottom of the standings:

place

team

points

GF

GA

15

Granada

39

35

53

16

Osasuna

36

29

45

17

Deportivo

35

46

66

18

Zaragoza

34

36

55

19

Mallorca

32

39

70

20

Celta

31

34

52

No changes among the leaders; FC Barcelona celebrated the liga title at the Camp Nou with a 2-1 victory over Real Valladolid, while the 6-2 of Real Madrid over Malaga CF was the fourth match on the season with more goals, but the result is already forgotten by the fans after the painful loss in the final of Copa del Rey facing Atlético Madrid (1-2).

Now all the attention is focused in two of the three spots for the UEFA Europa League and the final ticket for the Champions League. Valencia CF and Real Sociedad still battling for the fourth position, the Valencians clinched a 1-0 success visiting Getafe CF in what turned to be a boring game, more entertaining was the comeback of the Basques visiting Sevilla CF (1-2).

Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, clinched a vital 3-2 win visiting the soulless Levante UD, but the RFEF denied the European license and now they only chance of reaching Europe is the TAS-CAS (Tribunal Arbitral du Sport). So, Malaga CF are already qualified to the Europa League though didn’t play. Still, the Andalusians are pending in resolving the conflict with UEFA in order to confirm the ticket.

Besides, the defeat of Real Betis is bringing new hope to Getafe CF, Sevilla CF, Athletic Bilbao and RCD Espanyol; this last team got the European license from the RFEF after completing the documents on this week. Even Real Valladolid and Levante UD have a chance to end 8th, but as it happens with Athletic and Espanyol they will qualify only if the ban over Malaga is confirmed.

The situation at the top of the standings:

place

team

points

GF

GA

1

Barcelona

94

109

39

2

Real Madrid

81

96

37

3

Atlético

72

62

30

4

Real Sociedad

62

66

46

5

Valencia

62

63

50

6

Malaga

54

49

45

7

Betis

52

52

55

8

R. Vallecano

49

46

63

MATCHDAY 37: TIME FOR DEFINITIONSPure excitement during a matchday in which all the games will be disputed at the same hour. Anything can happen in the penultimate matchday of the season, from seeing all the teams going out alive and having options of reaching their goals during the last matchday, to witness the opposite scenario with Europe and relegation already defined.

And the permanence will be played on the road as five of the last six places are facing life-or-death situations performing away from their stadiums. The first two clubs in the spotlight are RC Celta and RCD Mallorca. The Galicians need the victory and to see one of two teams –Depor or Osasuna- not clinching the three points, while the Majorcans need to avoid the defeat and also to see one of the same two clubs failing, if not both will be relegated.

And they play for their life performing away from home, RC Celta visit Real Valladolid and RCD Mallorca pay an enigmatic visit to Atlético Madrid. Meanwhile, Deportivo and Real Zaragoza travel to Malaga CF and Real Betis. The Galicians could clinch the permanence if they win their game and if the Aragonians lost their meeting, but at the same time they could be back in the pit if they fail and if Los Maños are able to clinch the three points.

But Real Betis need the victory n order to secure the spot in Europe; meanwhile the rival of Depor is already in the Europa League. Granada CF visit a Valencia CF that need the victory to stay alive in the race for the Champions League; if Los Ches lose the meeting then Real Sociedad will automatically participate in the biggest tournament in the continent if they are able to win their game. The Basques are hosting a Real Madrid that just announced the departure of Mourinho.

The only relegation-troubled team playing at home is CA Osasuna; but it’s also a tough challenge as they host a Sevilla CF that need the win to avoid a new campaign without European action. And there’s more, Getafe CF host Rayo Vallecano trying to hurry up their European chances, while there’s also pride at stake in the Catalan derby as RCD Espanyol entertain FC Barcelona. The meeting Levante UD-Athletic Bilbao close the matchday with both sides having remote chances of reaching the 8th place.